Want to get involved?
The Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center has opportunities for middle school youth to volunteer and high school youth to apply for paid positions at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Positions will be posted throughout the year online at the Science Museum of Minnesota employment openings website under Youth Openings.
Before you apply, make sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions below and How do I apply?
Adult staff positions are posted occasionally for Interns and Youth Program Managers. Openings can be found on the Science Museum of Minnesota employment website http://www.smm.org/jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this volunteer or job experience different from others?
Each youth works with a team of 11 other youth from schools across St. Paul and Minneapolis. They build hands-on science projects, work on exhibits, teach children in the community, or design new ideas and projects used at the Science Museum of Minnesota and in the community.
What are youth doing currently in the KAYSC?
Click on this link to find out more about current youth teams.
What is the schedule for volunteering or working in the KAYSC?
Youth meet two times per week for an average of 7 hours every week after school, Saturdays, and during the summer.
What do youth like so much about working in the KAYSC?
"We're getting paid to learn and do something I love. My friends may make bigger paychecks and collect tips. I may not make as much, but it feels good." - A.J. on Park Crew, a senior in high school
"The elevator door opens, I walk up to my area, and I see the excitement on the kids' faces. They crowd around me. It's very memorable. One time, we were demonstrating a hovercraft, and the kids had an explosion of excitement. It's fun to watch. When I leave to go home, I can't wait to come back. Most kids just get science from a textbook but here they'll learn science is fun. All kids want to do is have fun." - Malakie on Fluid Team, a junior in high school
"One day when I was 11, I walked into the Big Back Yard and started talking to the crew. I found out I could volunteer here, so I did. This place has been fun for me for a long while." - Jermaine on Park Crew, a senior in high school
"I feel like I've learned as much as I've taught. We created a giant air cannon to demonstrate the power of air currents. We had to do it as a team. I used to approach everything as an individual, wanting to do it on my own. Now, I realize working as a team is much better for you." - Choua on Fluid Team, a junior in high school
How do I apply?
The following is helpful for applying for a job at the Science Museum of Minnesota. It helps explain what a resume, cover letter, professional reference, and proof of eligibility mean.
These directions are specifically designed for youth applicants.
First Name: Enter your legal first name.
Last Name: Enter your legal last name.
Email Address: Enter a working email address you regularly use. You can use your school email address or create a new one using yahoo, gmail, hotmail, or others. Make sure your email address is professional (such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
Country: Choose the country where you currently live from the drop-down menu.
Home Address 1: Enter your current house number and street.
Home Address 2: Enter your apartment number if you have one.
City: Enter the city where you currently live.
State/Province: Enter the state where you currently live.
Zip/Postal Code: Enter the 5 digit zip code where you currently live.
Daytime Phone: Enter a working phone number either home or cell phone. This is the number an employer will use to contact you.
Evening Phone: Enter a second phone number to reach you at. This is not required.
Optional information:
All of these questions are optional. You do not have to answer these if you don’t want to. Your answers will not affect your job application in any way.
Gender: Choose male or female from the dropdown menu
I decline to identify my race or ethnicity: check the box if you do not want to identify your race. Otherwise, leave it blank
Race: Choose the bubble “Hispanic or Latino” or “Not Hispanic or Latino.” Then check the box next to the choice that best fits you: American Indian, Asian, Black or African, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, White, or Two or more races.
Veteran Status: If you served in the armed forces, select “Veteran.” Otherwise, select the circle, “Not a Veteran.”
Job-related questions
Have you worked at the Science Museum before?
If not, choose No.
If you are currently working for the Science Museum, choose Yes – Current.
If you did work for the Science Museum but do not currently, choose Yes – Former.
Are you a current or former volunteer of the Science Museum of Minnesota?
Have you volunteered at the Science Museum before?
If not, choose No.
If you are currently volunteer at the Science Museum, choose Yes – Current.
If you did volunteer for the Science Museum but do not currently, choose Yes – Former.
Are you over 18?
Are you 18 years old or older today?
If so, enter yes.
If not, enter no.
If hired, can you provide proof of eligibility to work in the US?
To prove that you can work in the US, you will need to have identification.
See the list of documents accepted below:
If so, then enter yes.
If not, then enter no.
For more information,
Have you applied at the Science Museum before?
Have you ever applied to any job at the Science Museum before?
If so, select yes.
If not, select no.
How did you find out about this job opening?
Choose one from the choices given.
Please choose your highest level of education completed.
Choose some high school if you are still in high school, or high school if you graduated and have your high school diploma.
Education and Employment History Questions
Enter your current high school,
What grade you are in,
and your graduation year.
Employment History: Please describe your employment history including company name, dates of employment, job title, description of work and reason for leaving.
This section includes paid and unpaid jobs such as volunteering or babysitting.
Enter your previous jobs or volunteer experience including:
The company (place, job, organization, store, shop, person) you worked for,
Dates of when you worked (month and year),
Your job title,
What you did at the job on a daily basis,
and your reason for leaving the job
Please type or copy and paste your cover letter here.
A cover letter is a one-page letter describing why you are interested in this job and what skills or experience you have to offer this job.
Employment/Professional References:
Please list your references including name, company, position, and phone number. (List at least 2)
References are adults you have worked for, volunteered with, or have known for at least 6 months. These adults are not related to you. Some examples include volunteer coordinators, supervisors, teachers, religious leaders, or counselors.
You must enter at least two adults including:
Name,
Company (place, job, organization, store, shop)
Phone number
I have read...
Please make sure everything you have written is accurate and correct. Then type your full name and the current date into the text box
Optional Questions
You can enter a minimum hourly salary you require. If you request a high salary, your application may be disregarded.
Notes:
You can enter any additional skills or experience you have that relate to the job.